Fireman s safety-helmet



Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

/iLT'IEEEEE 77. W MM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. BARIAN, OF FOWLERVILLE, MICHIGAN.

Fl REMANS SAFETY-H ELM ET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,093, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed March 1, 1890. Serial No. 342,294. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. BARIAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fowlerville, in the county of Livingston and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Firemens Safety- Helmets, of which the'following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in safety-helmets for firemen; and the invention consists in the peculiar construction of a helmet or mask designed to cover the face of the fireman, means for se-' curing it in position and for making a tight fit around the head, an air-tank connected with the mouth-piece in said mask, and valves to control the air-supply from the air-tank to the mouth of the wearer and from the mouth of the wearer to the outside for exhalation, and, further, in the peculiar construction and combination of the necessary parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings which accompany this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device as in use. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof detached. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section through the mouth-piece and valves.

A is the helmet or mask, preferably of leather, rubber, or other flexible material, and of suitable shape to conform to the front of the head of a person and to make a tight joint over the top of the head and at the sides. B are tightening-strings secured in the edges of this mask to tighten it around the head of the wearer, and O O are securing-straps passedover the top and back of the head, respectively, to hold the mask firmly in position.

D is a frame, preferably a metal frame, so cured in the front of the mask and holding a suitable transparent body E such as glassopposite the eyes of the wearer.

F is a shield, preferably of metal, secured in the lower part of the mask, forming a plate to support the mouth-piece and valves.

G is a tube passing through the shield F and secured therein, to the inner end of which is secured the mouthpiece H, preferably by means of an intermediate flexible tube I, and

' at its outer end this tube G carries the sleeve J, having a suitable cap through which the handle K of the valve L passes. This valve L is preferably made as shown, consisting of a tube ct, engaging in the end of the tube G, and provided with suitable perforations b and a cap 0. The valve L is normally closed by the tension of the spring d. The tube G on its lower side is provided with a suitable nipple e, which connects with the air-tank M by means of the flexible tube N. This airtank M may be of any suitable construction, either in the shape of a garment to be worn upon the body of the fireman, in the shape of *a bag having suitable means for supporting it, or in any other desired form. The connec tion between the tube G and the air-tank M is normally closed by the Valve 0, which has a stem P extending through the tube G, and having the bearing f, against which the spring g acts to keep the valve in its closed position.

it is a hollow packing-nut which forms a chamber for the spring.

Q is a three-way cock secured in the flexible tube N at any suitable point, its apertures being adapted to register in the tube or with the lower opening in the tube and the aperture 41 through the casing of the cockthrough which the tank may be filled.

The parts being thus constructed, they are intended to operate as follows: In case of fire, where the firemen are obliged to enter the rooms filled with dense smoke, the mask is secured upon the head by means of the straps C C and the tight connection with the head by means of the drawing-strings B atall points, the tank M being previously filled with air through the apertures i. The valves L and 0 being normally closed, the wearer when he desires to inhale presses with his finger upon the valve-stem P, thereby opening the valve 0 and drawing the air from the tank. When he desires to exhale, he releases his hold of the valve-stem P, which is at once closed by tension of the spring q, and by the force of his exhalation opens the valve L, allowing his breath to escape through the aperture is in the end of the sleeve J In case of urgent necessity, should the tank M require to be filled the fireman may go to any convenient point where fresh air can be obtained and open the valve L, draw in his breath, close the valve L, open the valve 0, and expreferably fill the tank with pure air by a pump or other suitable means through the aperture 2'.

It will be seenthat my device can be applied almost instantly, can be as readily removed, is light, forms a protection to the face spring-controlled valve, an air-supply tank, a

of the fireman against heat, does not obstruct his view, and gives him an abundant supply of fresh air under the most unfavorable conditions.

By providing the device with the lever B- the valve 0 may be opened by pressure of the tongue on the knob S, thus making the dej ported by the mask, a branch extending out E from the tube, a valve in said branch having an operating-stem extendingbeyond the tube, iand. an extension-tube on the branch, subvice more nearly automatic and leaving the hands of the wearer free.

h-at I claim as my invention is:-

1. In a safety-helmet for firemen, the combination, with the mask, of the mouth-piece H, tube G, supporting the same, valve Lin the tube, spring d for normally holding the E uary, 1890.

valve, closed, valve 0 stem P on the same, and spring 9 on the; stem, substantially as described.

2. In. a safety-helmet, the combination, witha mask, of a tube extending through the same, a pipe N, leading into the tube, having an aperture therein, a three-way valve in the tube, and a tank out of which the tube leads, substantially as described.

3. In a safety-helmet for firemen, the combination, with a flexible mask having drawing-strings, and suitable securing-straps, of a mouth-piece secured in said mask having an external exit-opening normally closed by a connecting-tube between the tank and mouthpiece, and a stem for opening said valve, substantially as described.

4. In a safety-helmet,- the combination, with a flexible mask having suitable fastenings, of a valved tube extending through and sup- ;stantiaily as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence. of two Witnesses, this 23doday of Jan- GEORGE W. BARI-AN. 'Witnesses:

GEO. A. GREGG, M. B. ODOGHERTY. 

